Is it safe to swim during a pandemic coronavirus?

Pandemic coronavirus, of course, put an end to summer plans, but there is good news: despite the fact that in our country summer is sometimes cold, it does not mean that we are not going to swim. As researchers found, swimming in the pool and the sea during a pandemic is quite safe, as there is no evidence that the virus SARS-CoV-2, causing COVID-19, you can get in chlorinated and sea water. It turns out that even despite the fact that the nearest pool or beach will have to prepare yourself (at least wear protective mask and gloves), the bathing is safe? Tell what you need to do to not get COVID-19 during the holidays and why bathing in fresh water is a bad idea.

Can coronavirus be spread in a swimming pool?

As the world gradually comes out of quarantine and in the Northern hemisphere, summer is coming, many countries offer beaches and swimming pools, and even declare the opening of the tourist season, as it recently did to Turkey. At the same time travellers are wondering about the safety of travel in General, and stay in public places, e.g. beaches. According to the Centers for control and prevention of diseases there is no evidence that the coronavirus may be spread through water in swimming pools, hot tubs, spas or water playgrounds.

As the reporter of the emergency physician Dr. Rajiv of Bahl, although a trip to the pool is the same as it was before the pandemic, taking a number of precautions you can enjoy a swim.

During a visit to the indoor pool, do not forget the risk of infection COVID-19

This opinion is shared by Ernest Blatchley III, Professor from Purdue University who , as the chlorine in swimming pools reacts to the fluids of the human body, pharmaceuticals and personal care products. Since chlorine effectively inactivates viruses, like SARS-CoV-2, Blatchly considers that stay in the water safely. On the other hand, the air in the indoor pool presents the same risk of the spread of coronaviruses, as in other enclosed spaces. At the risk of Contracting water will have no effect, so that the most urgent problem according to the Professor, is the contamination of air or surfaces in swimming pools.

Meanwhile, a new study has shown that chlorine, which disinfects most of the pools, contributed to the loss of coronavirus. Disinfection adjacent to the pool areas with the use of specialized tools is also sufficient to destroy the virus, the researchers write. the Accordingly, contamination COVID-19 in contact with the surfaces in swimming pools is unlikely.

Really now everyone will get on the track?

The Researchers note that proper operation and standard – the guarantee of health of its visitors. To reduce the risk of infection COVID-19, greater attention should be given to common areas around the pool. Also, do not share glasses, tubes or other swimming equipment. But the main thing is to remember that lockers and swimming facilities can potentially be preserved viral particles, so washing your hands with soap and water remains the most effective method of precaution.

So, if the situation with the spread of the coronavirus in our country by the summer of improves, then it is possible that many pools will be reopened. But how about swimming in the sea, lake or river?

is it Safe to swim in the sea and sunbathing on the beach?

According to researchers CSIC, infection COVID-19 in sea water is unlikely because the salt and the volume of the sea contribute to the reduction of viral load and its inactivation. Thus, any discharge, whether they are from the sneeze or cough, quickly dissolved in sea water without any harm to others. So if you are lucky and you will be on the sea, thoroughly wash your hands, take care of social distancing and bathe safely!

Indeed, happy are those who live by the sea!

is it Safe to swim in fresh water?

And here in fresh water, how to write the Spanish scientists, is better not to swim. So trips to the river and to the nearest pond, it is worth making just to enjoy the view of the water. This is because the virus can survive in fresh water. Studies of other coronaviruses with similar characteristics to the SARS-CoV-2 showed that the virus for some time remain active in a natural freshwater environment. Also from the report of the CSIC, it follows that one cannot completely exclude the possibility of infection while swimming in pools orstay on the beaches close to the sewage, as the results of the analyses of the feces of patients infected COVID-19, confirmed the presence of the virus.

In General, if you bathe you really want and you have a choice of where to do it, prefer the sea or the pool. What are your plans for the summer? Going for a swim? Join the participants to discuss whether to swim this summer and how to behave in the pool..

Swimming during a pandemic is possible and necessary. Tell how!